Law Offices of Ben Stechschultehttp://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/
recent postsen-usMon, 19 Mar 2018 07:51:30 -0500What to do if Law Enforcement Officers Execute a Search Warrant on your Homehttp://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/32489/
Search warrants are used by local, state and federal law enforcement entities to gather evidence and information about the target of an investigation or a witness related to one. The only notice you will receive that a search warrant is to be executed at your home is when law enforcement officers arrive at your front door. What you do next will either help or harm your defense.]]>2018-03-15 08:13:46http://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/32489/Medical Marijuana and DUIhttp://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/31511/
Medical marijuana can now legally be consumed by Florida residents who have a valid prescription from a qualified physician. Although these individuals are using marijuana to address pain and other conditions under medical supervision, they can still be arrested for and found guilty of driving under the influence (DUI) of a controlled substance (marijuana).]]>2017-11-14 22:48:18http://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/31511/Polygraph Examinations Valuable Criminal Defense Toolhttp://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/31236/
Polygraph examinations are used to determine if a person is being deceitful when responding to specific questions. The process measures an individual’s physical reaction to certain questions to assess truthfulness or deceit. Due to lack of scientific proof of reliability, few state courts allow the results of the examination to be admissible as evidence, and Florida state courts do not allow them at all. Regardless of this lack of admissibility, polygraph examinations can serve as a valuable defense strategy for a person facing criminal charges. ]]>2017-10-09 21:16:38http://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/31236/Feds Reverse Decision on Minimum Mandatory Sentencing Due to Opioid Epidemichttp://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/30853/
US Attorney General Jeff Sessions has reinstated the push for federal prosecutors to charge even the lowest level drug users and sellers with the most severe charges possible. Under the federal minimum mandatory sentencing requirements, individuals now face 20 or more years in prison. For this reason, you need an expert criminal defense attorney by your side. Learn more in our recent blog.]]>2017-08-30 22:59:51http://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/30853/Florida’s Response to Opioid Epidemic is Extremehttp://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/30633/
In response to the opioid epidemic, Florida has chosen to create new minimum mandatory sentencing requirements specifically targeting the possession of fentanyl. This rare course of action places anyone who possesses as little as four grams of fentanyl at risk of receiving a 3 year prison sentence. Criminal defense attorney Ben Stechschulte discusses this issue, as well as the importance of skilled representation. ]]>2017-08-04 09:51:17http://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/30633/Expansion of Florida’s Stand Your Ground Lawhttp://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/30324/
Recent changes in Florida’s Stand Your Ground defense shifts the burden of proof from the defendant to the prosecutor. While some decry this change as placing an unreasonable burden on the prosecutor, board certified criminal defense attorney Ben Stechschulte believes this shift is appropriate and necessary. Learn more about the Stand Your Ground law and attorney Stechschulte’s position on the recent changes in our latest blog.]]>2017-06-26 11:10:09http://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/30324/ Acceptance of Responsibility and Federal Court Sentence Reductionhttp://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/29901/
An Acceptance of Responsibility plea is unique to the federal court system, and to receive the most benefit from this option it is important to hire an experienced federal criminal defense attorney. Only this level of representation will assure that an effective defense strategy is developed that takes into account all of the challenges and resources of the federal legal system.]]>2017-05-04 00:00:00http://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/29901/Under Investigation For Sex Offenses? Hire an Attorney Immediately http://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/29340/
Former congressman Anthony Weiner is under federal investigation by the US Attorney’s Office regarding child pornography. While no charges have yet been filed, Mr. Weiner’s attorneys are working hard to protect their client’s interests. This case is an excellent example of why it is important to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as you become aware you are under investigation rather than waiting for charges to be filed.]]>2017-03-13 20:46:24http://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/29340/DUI and Marijuana: Challenging the Field Sobriety Testshttp://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/29177/
In November 2016, Florida joined a growing number of states who have legalized the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Florida’s statute allows the use of medical marijuana and the state’s Department of Health is drafting guidelines to regulate the process. In addition to this state-wide effort, the City of Tampa recently decriminalized the possession of marijuana for amounts up to 20 grams, re-categorizing it as a civil infraction. Marijuana users who are stopped under suspicion of a DUI pose unique challenges to law enforcement agencies to legally prove the person was too impaired to drive safely.]]>2017-02-23 21:19:59http://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/29177/When A Federal Agent Calls for an "Interview", Consult A Criminal Attorney Immediatelyhttp://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/28963/
If a Federal Agent contacts you to “just talk” or “hear your side of the situation” contact an experienced federal attorney immediately. Whether you are a potential federal witness or the subject of an investigation, you need an expert lawyer who can protect your rights throughout this process.]]>2017-02-02 09:19:46http://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/28963/Experienced Criminal Attorneys Effectively Use Substantial Assistance to Reduce Sentenceshttp://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/28679/
A defendant or convicted criminal in state or federal court can help themselves tremendously by providing "substantial assistance" to help law enforcement investigating another crime. The designation is determined solely by the prosecutor. The determination of substancial assistance and its impact on a sentence can be tremendously impacted by the strategy a defense attorney uses to present the situation. ]]>2017-01-03 16:43:09http://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/28679/Tampa Bay Area Criminal Attorney Sees Local Situation Consistent With National Incarceration Rate Inequalities Across Countieshttp://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/27981/
One of the best strategies to reduce both sentences and rates of recidivism for many types of first time criminals is through the use of drug and mental rehabilitation programs offered by counties. A study by the New York Times shows that smaller rural counties have much higher incarceration rates than larger counties. This disparity can be largely attributed to the use of rehab programs to greater degree in large counties compared with harsher penalties preferred in smaller counties. The counties around greater Tampa Bay show patterns congruent with the national trends in the New York Times article. ]]>2016-11-22 06:04:10http://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/27981/Only Experienced Federal Criminal Attorneys Can Manage the Role of the Federal Probation Officerhttp://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/27263/
The federal U.S. probation officer preforms a unique role in federal criminal cases compared to his counterpart in state court. The federal probation officer has the additional duty of creating the pre-sentence investigation report which heavily influences the judges final sentence. Any attorney hired for a federal crimainla case should be seasoned in helping probation officers create this report in the defendant's best interests. The proper application of the Safety Valve Law, one that could reduce sentences by up to 24 months for someone with no priors, is an example of an issue that needs to be positioned correctly.]]>2016-10-02 07:05:40http://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/27263/A Federal Criminal Defense Attorney Needed After Selling Counterfeit Goodshttp://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/25676/
Selling counterfeit goods is considered a federal offense because they have most likely traveled across states and international borders. If you sense that federal agents are "dining out", or shopping and gathering evidence against you, immediately cease selling the items and call a criminal defense attorney with federal experience. ]]>2016-08-05 07:24:09http://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/25676/Tampa Decriminalizes Possession of Marijuana (Up to 20 Grams) http://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/25568/
Although not legal, possession of small amounts of marijuana (less than 20 grams) will now draw a citation instead of an arrest in the City of Tampa. Beware that misdemeanor charges will still apply when related to driving under the influence and in areas of Hillsborough County not included in the new ordinance like Brandon and Town n' Country. ]]>2016-07-25 15:12:26http://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/25568/Relevant Conduct Affects Sentencing in Federal Criminal Caseshttp://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/24906/
The Dennis Hastert case is a good example of how "relevant conduct" can affect the sentencing of a federal criminal case. Judges can take into account actions surrounding a crime, not just the crime itself, in determining the length of sentence. It is extremely important to find an attorney with extensive experience in federal crime cases who will present relevant conduct during the federal probation interview and presentence investigation report. ]]>2016-06-04 08:40:41http://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/24906/Defending Wrong Way DUI Drivers in Tampahttp://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/24467/
2016-04-22 13:24:25http://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/24467/Management of Florida’s Felony Scoresheethttp://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/23398/
Florida ranks felony offenses with a severity scale of 1 to 10 on the Criminal Punishment Code Scoresheet to help determine if a defendant should face prison time and, if so, its length. It is calculated by the prosecutor and then presented to the defense attorney. As a former prosecutor, Ben Stechschulte has the experience and understanding of how the scores are calculated and will use that knowledge in developing strategies to minimize potential sentences the scoresheet suggests.]]>2016-01-27 12:49:28http://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/23398/The Bail Bond Systemhttp://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/23174/
Don’t navigate the bail bond process without consulting an experience criminal defense attorney like Ben Stechschulte. An experienced attorney may have you released on your own recognition or may be able to reduce or keep the original bail amount set so the client can return home and continue working instead of staying in jail until their court date.]]>2016-01-07 17:26:48http://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/23174/Most Common Questions New Clients Askhttp://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/23033/
If you or a loved one has been arrested there are many questions you might have. Tampa Criminal Defense Attorney, Ben Stechschulte helps answer some of the commonly asked questions by new clients that include:

"Am I facing jail time?"

"Will I have to go to court?"

"Was my Miranda rights violated?"

]]>2015-12-22 10:45:38http://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/23033/Miranda Rights - What Television Doesn’t Tell Youhttp://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/22835/
Unlike the usual procedure shown on popular television shows, you deserve your Miranda rights upon custody and questioning, not just arrest. And when you do receive them, demand your right to an attorney, not silence. ]]>2015-12-01 08:03:26http://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/22835/Arabic, French Creole, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Spanish – Representing Clients where English is their Second Language (ESL)http://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/22334/
Language and cultural differences can create unforeseen challenges when an attorney represents a client for whom English is a second language. Skilled criminal defense attorneys, such as Ben Stechschulte, are comfortable with English as Second Language clients and have the resources necessary to effectively communicate with them to assure the best possible representation.]]>2015-10-14 08:10:37http://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/22334/Challenging Field Sobriety Testshttp://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/22333/
Police officers use field sobriety tests to confirm their impression that a person is driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. An experienced DUI attorney knows that a police officer cannot testify in court as to the results of this test unless they are a certified Drug Recognition Expert, and even then, the expert can be challenged.]]>2015-10-14 08:02:13http://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/22333/Jared Fogel’s Smart Defensehttp://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/21919/
Recently the Federal Court of Indiana charged Jared Fogel, Subway spokesperson, with distribution of child pornography and having sex with a minor. Mr. Fogel hired a defense team as soon as he realized he was under investigation. By hiring a defense team before charges were brought against him, Mr. Fogel and his attorneys were able to develop several smart defense strategies to reduce his exposure and potential jail time.]]>2015-09-07 08:54:58http://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/21919/Weight and Consistency Critical Factors in Defense of Drug Chargeshttp://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/21918/
The severity of the penalty in drug trafficking charges is based, in part, on the amount of drugs in the defendant’s possession. Experienced defense attorneys challenge law enforcement’s and prosecutors’ numbers by focusing on the actual weight versus estimated weight and the consistency of the drugs in question to limit their client’s exposure to penalties and prison time.]]>2015-09-06 23:03:11http://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/blog/21918/